g captured, so the detective moved along the narrow passage with
a sense of triumph. He never thought that he would be so lucky as to
make this discovery, and he knew well that such a triumph meant praise
and reward. "I'll be able to marry Peggy now," he thought.

The coiners had been removed to the Rexton cells, and only Hale
remained under the charge of Mrs. Barnes and Dr. Slane. The body of
Twining lay in the dining-room of the villa. A policeman was on guard
at the door of the villa, and two remained at the forked passage. When
Jennings arrived here he felt inclined to turn off to the right and
explore the other passage, but he was also anxious to see the factory
and assure himself of the value of his discovery. He therefore
painfully hobbled along, clinging to Atkins, but sustained in his
efforts by an indomitable spirit.

"Here you are, sir," said Atkins, turning on the light and revealing
the workshop. "A fine plant, isn't it?"

"It is, indeed," said Jennings, glancing up to the rough roof where
five or six lamps blazed like suns, "and a nice hiding-place they
found. I'll sit here and look round, Atkins."

He dropped into a chair near the bench and stared at the cellar. It
was large, and built of rough stones, so that it looked like a prison
cell of the Bastille. The floor was of beaten earth, the roof of
brick, built in the form of an arch, and the door was of heavy wood
clamped with iron. The brilliant illumination enabled Jennings to see
everything, even to the minutest detail of the place.

In one corner were three large dynamos, and in another a smelting pot,
and many sheets of silver and copper. Also, there were moulds of
gutta-percha arranged to hold coins in immersion. On a bench were a
number of delicate tools and a strong vice. Jennings also saw various
appliances for making coins. On rough deal shelves ranged round the
walls stood flasks and jars containing powders, with tools and a great
many chemicals. Also there were piles of false money, gold and silver
and copper, and devices for sweating sovereigns. In a safe were lumps
of gold and silver. Beside it, a bath filled with some particular
liquid used in the trade. Electric cells, acids, wooden clips to hold
the coins could also be seen. In fact the whole factory was conducted
on the most scientific principles, and Jennings could understand how so
many cleverly-prepared coins came to be in circulation. There were even
moulds for